Day trips & escapes

Luxembourg With Kids: A 3-Day Plan That Keeps Them Happy

5 min read

Chairlift climbing above Vianden with the castle visible

Day 1: Lifts and casemates in the city

Kids love the Pfaffenthal panoramic lift because of the glass floor and because it's free — start here at 9:30am. Walk along the Alzette to Neumunster Abbey and let them run in the courtyard. Take the Grund elevator back up. Lunch at Konrad Cafe in the old town — burgers, kid-friendly and full of families. Afternoon at the Bock Casemates (children under 12 half price at $4): the tunnels feel like a proper adventure, and there are dark corners and cannon openings to explore. Allow 90 minutes.

Ice cream at Bargello on Grand-Rue afterwards — reliably the best in the city. Dinner at Bosso or one of the Place d’Armes brasseries where kids can watch buskers. Sleep at Hotel Parc Beaux-Arts in Ville Haute — junior suites work for a family and it's walkable to everything.

Day 2: Vianden castle and chairlift

Vianden is the single best day out for children in Luxembourg. Free train and bus get you there by 10am. The castle has arms rooms, tapestries and towers to climb. Buy a combined castle plus chairlift ticket. The chairlift itself — a single-seat 1960s design that carries kids over 6 with an adult, seasonal April to October — is the highlight of most children's trips. From the top, walk down the woodland path back to the town in 40 minutes.

Lunch at Auberge du Chateau by the river. Afternoon options: rent a pedal boat on the Our for $10, or visit the Victor Hugo house if your kids are older. Bus and train home. Alternatively, sleep in Vianden at Hotel Heintz — the castle floodlit at night is a real image for kids.

Day 3: Parc Merveilleux and a dinosaur

Parc Merveilleux in Bettembourg (train from Luxembourg to Bettembourg, 15 minutes, then a 20-minute walk or short bus) is a fairytale-themed park with a small zoo, mini-train, playgrounds and pony rides. Open April to October. Adult $15, child $12. Easily a full day for kids under 10; older kids may find it dated but the animals hold up. Bring picnic — the on-site food is basic.

For older kids or a wet-weather substitute, go to the National Museum of Natural History (Naturmusee) in Grund. It has a real dinosaur skeleton, an aquarium and hands-on exhibits. Free for under-18s. About 3 hours of interest. Sleep the last night back in Ville Haute or, if flying early, at a Kirchberg airport hotel.

Frequently asked questions

Is Luxembourg City stroller-friendly?

Ville Haute yes, mostly flat with good pavements. Grund and Pfaffenthal require the lifts rather than stairs. Cobblestones on the Corniche and side streets are bumpy — a small robust stroller is better than a big pram.

Are restaurants welcoming to kids?

Very. Brasseries always have high chairs and kids' menus; even mid-range restaurants accommodate children without fuss. Dinner service starts around 7pm which is late for young kids — aim to eat by 7:30 and book ahead.